He is a metaphor of Nigeria’s modern politics. Unlike the politics characterised by violence, deceit, mediocrity, impunity, back-stabbing, egoism, he is averse to that but represents excellence and a brand of common good to the masses. As a chairman of a union in the state then, I sent a proposal of the union to him; he painstakingly read all and approved it. Yet another person sent his, he studiously read and pinpointed the grammatical errors asking for corrections before he would approve the proposal. That was vintage Victor Bassey Attah!
Trained as an architect, he tunes his heart to his profession, but fastens his eyes to politics- rendering altruistic services to humanity. From the tutelage of architectural drawing, he ventured into the political murky water to fight for the oppressed and to free the captives from injustice and deprivation.
Obong Attah lit the political darkness foisted on the people by the military by joining 37 eminent Nigerians to form what was then known as G-38 to wrestle power from the dictatorial regime. From mushrooming the group, he launched it like a mustard seed to become Nigeria’s behemoth- Peoples Democratic Party, which ruled the country for 16 years.
He struck the political honeycomb as he ascended to the throne of Akwa Ibom State under PDP platform. For eight years, he rode in the cockpit of the party he helped to bring to life.
He worked hard but did not forget his pur as Eduek Ekpe Asutan. He ruled but he did not forget his courage as Obong.
He governed but he did not abandon the cause of his calling- go and fight for the redemption of Akwa Ibom. And so he opened his binoculars on the despoilation of the land as a result of crude oil exploitation. Resource control was his gospel. Like swan song, he never failed to dance to its rhythms.
Like the Biblical John the Baptist, he preached to the Federal Government under the leadership of Olusegun Obasanjo. He stepped on toes, but he did not mind since his eyes were set on achieving the resource control for the oil producing states. Attah imported members of the Black Caucus in the US Congress to Akwa Ibom. He gave verve to the on-shore-off-shore-oil dichotomy. Obasanjo, the retired general, wanted to sneak into the country’s legal book, but Attah downed his aircraft wing such he sought political solution.
However, his terminal exit from Hilltop Mansion, Uyo met a brickwall of opposition as he porposed Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika, his son-inlaw to succeed him. Godswill Akpabio who initially was prepared as an heir-apparent was thrown overboard. Through Akpabio succeeded in ascending the throne, he could not succeed in hiding the scars of the battle that left many bruised and others floundering in the political wilderness. It was like saying “I have forgiven you, but I have not forgotten the battle.” And the feuding music continued reverberating with different tunes in different quarters.
In 2011, Akpabio sought for re-election under PDP. Yet, Attah, his estranged godfather went and ligfted the hand of James Akpan Udoedehe under Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN that has become Action Progressives Congress, APC. The feud between the duos was widened particularly when Udoedehe failed and Akpabio triumphed.
In 2015, Udom Emmanuel was the PDP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom. Since Akpabio sponsored and supported him, Attah went and lifted the hand of Umana Okon Umana, the Action Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate. Umana failed, and Emmanuel clinched the position. Attah distanced himself from Emmanuel administration because Akpabio was involved.
As a PDP Board of Trustees, BOT, member, Attah was immediately suspended by the PDP for “anti-party activities.”
As the ding-dong rivalry continued, Attah allegedly pledged support to the ambition of Nsima Ekere, the state APC governorship candidate. A staunch politician confided in Straightnews that Attah visited Don Etiebet, begged him to join in enthroning Ekere as the next governor in 2019. As soon as Senator Akpabio defected from PDP to APC, Attah dashed out again.
However, few days to his 77th birthday anniversary, Attah, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State announced that he had quit partisan politics, saying his action should not be misconstrued as accepting to join APC.
By November 20, 2015, he was 77. As an an elder statesman, he noted that there had been other statesmen who served and continued to serve Nigeria outside partisan politics.
At a briefing organised in his honour by Akwa Ibom Liberation Coalition, Attah said: “So, I can formally state that I have quit partisan politics to play the role of an elder statesman and to continue to serve this country with love, strength, and faith with integrity to the best of my ability.
“Let nobody take this to mean that I want to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or therefore jump to the opposite, that I am going over to APC or any other party for that matter.
“Indeed I made several utterances and I stand by all of them including those ones for which I was, from time to time, accused of anti-party activities. The tragedy for the PDP is to now blame its failure on such utterances rather than its perilous refusal to heed the warnings they conveyed.”
As he turned 80 years on November 20, 2018, Attah has become a beautiful bride in the state political firmament.
Governor Emmanuel rolled out hefty programme of activities in the state to celebrate the octogenarian.
For instance, a book launch in his honour,entitled: “It Is Well With My Soul” was held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja by 11a.m.
The launch was attended by Senator Akpabio, Nsima Ekere and other dignitaries.
“Similarly, on Friday, November 23, 2018, an 80th birthday symposium on the topic: “Leadership for Sustainable Development Culture in Africa” will hold at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort by 10am. The Symposium, which will be chaired by erudite legal luminary – Femi Falana (SAN), will have the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah as the Lead Speaker.
“On Saturday, November 24, 2018, a State Banquet will then hold in honour of the former Governor, at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort by 7pm. The ceremonies will round off on Monday, November 26, 2018 with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aka Offot, Uyo by 10 am. The Thanksgiving Mass is open to the public,” press release issued by the state government stated.
As the 2019, general ekections draw closer, political gladiators in the state have started to court him as a beautiful bride. On his 80, Preisdent Muhammadu Buahri felicitated him. Segun Osoba, the former Ogun State governor saluted him too. Mnay eminent Nigerians and Akwa Ibom people joined in pouring tributes on the elder statesman.
As Attah turns 80, has he returned to the political minefield he left three years ago? Are political office seekers trying to court his support and goodwill to feather their rustic nests? Will the politicians still celebrate the man when they think he man is irrelevant to help them further their personal interest?
